Essex: Tube Stike Causes Travel Chaos

Members of the Rail, Maritime and Transport union (RMT) walked out for 48 hours at 9pm last night (Monday 28 April) in protest at plans to close ticket offices.

Services will start later and finish earlier during the action, which will be followed by a three-day stoppage from 9pm next Monday.

The union said the closure of ticket offices will cost hundreds of job losses and threaten safety.

But London Underground maintains that staff would be better employed on station concourses as only 3% of tickets are bought at ticket offices.

The company, and London Mayor Boris Johnson, attacked the strike, which will cause huge disruption for commuters and other travellers.

Neil Carberry, CBI Director for Employment and Skills, said:

“With only 30% of RMT members voting for a strike, it’s disappointing this has gone ahead, causing disruption to the journeys of many workers in and around London.

“The strike is likely to have a limited impact on the wider economy, as employers make it possible for staff to work remotely. However there will understandably be a significant impact on those businesses where that has simply not been possible.

“We welcome the efforts by Transport for London to resume service where possible on the tube. Providing a record number of buses will also help.”

Greater Anglia says trains will not call at Stratford Station until after 7am today and tomorrow.

It also says both West Anglia and Metro services between Shenfield and London are expected to be busier than usual, especially during the peak periods, with some alterations expected.

C2C is putting on additional trains between Laindon and Fenchurch Street from 10am and 3pm.

Trains will not stop at West Ham station during the strike.

There is a partial service on the tube over the next two days. To find out which lines will be affected click here.